Anti-Discrimination Legislation in Australia

Posted by Carl Bebendorf in Aug, 2014

What is Anti-Discrimination Legislation in Australia?

The Anti-Discrimination Legislation aims to create equality between all persons through the illegality of racial, sexual, and other types of discrimination

What is Anti-Discrimination Legislation in Australia like?

The Anti-Discrimination Legislation is a law which is similar to when you were a child and your parents taught you to share with everyone and to be fair to everyone. The only difference is instead of going to “Time-out” the consequences of discrimination could possibly lead to hefty fines.

What is the purpose of Anti-Discrimination legislation in Australia?

The purpose of Anti-Discrimination Legislation is to provide people with the legal right to be treated equally regardless of race, sex, religious views, and other types of discrimination.

What are the different types of Anti-Discrimination Legislation in Australia?

The Anti-Discrimination Laws of Australia are:

• – Age Discrimination Act 2004
• – Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
• – Disability Discrimination Act 1992
• – Racial Discrimination Act 1975
• – Sex Discrimination Act 1984

Then each state also has their own Anti-discrimination laws which follow:

• – Australian Capital Territory Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT)
• – New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
• – Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT)
• – Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD)
• – South Australia Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA)
• – Tasmania Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (TAS)
• – Victoria Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (VIC)
• – Western Australia Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA)

Where does the compliance with Anti-Discrimination legislation in Australia fit into the process of building and maintaining a website?

During the recruitment of people who will build your website you must not discriminate against people of other races, sexual orientation, religious views as this goes against the legislation. Also when the content is being created for the website, the creators must ensure that the content doesn’t insult or discriminate against people of the above categories

How does the Anti-discrimination legislation in Australia impact on the process of building and maintaining a website?

If you do not follow the Anti-Discrimination legislation then you could possibly receive a complaint from the person who was discriminated against. If you can’t resolve it between each other then they may make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission which will result in a meeting where you will attempt to resolve the situation. If this does not resolve the issue the person who was discriminated against may take their complaint to the Federal Court of Australia or the Federal Magistrates Court.

What terms are used when complying with Anti-Discrimination legislation in Australia?

– To avoid gender-based discrimination ensure you don’t use terms such as “policewoman ”, “admin girl”, “actress” or “salesman”. Instead use “police officer”, “admin person”, “actor”, “sales representative”.
– To avoid racial discrimination refrain from using terms that specify the colour of the persons skin or the persons nationality.
– To avoid discrimination against the LGBT community simply leave out words which single the community out

Where can I find more information about Anti-discrimination in Australia?

You can find more information about the Anti-Discrimination Legislation on the following websites:
– https://www.humanrights.gov.au/guide-australias-anti-discrimination-laws

– http://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtections/HumanRights/Pages/default.aspx

– http://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/lawcouncil/index.php/current-issues/anti-discrimination